Article ejector for vending machines



' Dec. 14, 1948. M, CARUSO ARTICLE EJECTOR FOR VENDING MACHINES Original Filed Dec. 26, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q Q Q S w mm \m mm 0 R T2 m4 v/v m A TORNEY M. CARUSO 2,455,976

ARTICLE EJECTOR FOR VENDING MACHINES Dec. 14, 1948.

Original Filed Dec. 26, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. ,e/a 522 ATTORNEY,

Dec. 1-4, 1948. M. cARuso. 2,455,975

ARTICLE EJECTOR FOR VENDING MACHINES Original Filed Dec. 26, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 T 3 T I' 37 4-58 /0 1 1 45 I, 42 7) J9 ,go

INVENTOR /Z 4%46/0 634F060.

ATTORNEY Dec. 14, 1948. CARUSQ ARTICLE EJECTOR FOR VENDiNG MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Dec. 26, 1946 INVENTQR 4%42/4 hex/:

ATTORNEY Dec. 14, 1948. M. cARuso ARTICLE EJECTOR FOR VENDING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 T1 |:'.1E. 4 a;

INVENTOR Moe/a [544 050.

ATTORNEY Ema 6'.

Original Filed Dec. 26. 1946 T1 E'JU.

Patented Dec. 14, 1948 s PATENT OFFICE ARTICLE EJEc'rifR F01: VENDING MACHINES Mario Caruso, Maplewood, N. J assignor to C-Eight Laboratories, Newark, N. J.

. Originalv application December 26, 1946, Serial No.

718,529. Divided and this application December 10, 1947, Serial No. 790,842 r 1 This invention'relates chines, and particularly to the. article ejector structure for such machines, and represent one of the divisions'of co-pending application Serial jNo'; 718,529, for Vending machine, filed by me Deceniber 26, 1946. 1 I 1 As indicated above, the present invention deals with an article ejector mechanism for vendin machines and is especially adapted for the type 30f machines wherein articlesof merchandise to be dispensed are arranged in columns, within suit-, able magazines, and in which latter the articles 7 are supported by mobile platformsequi-pped with a"m'echanism for urging these platforms and the merchandise supported by them to progress in upward direction. The ejector structure is adapted for-a reciprocating movement transversely to the upwardly moving columns of the'merchandiseso that during oneoperating cycle the'ejector structure moves from its starting position'firstin one, or a forward direction, until it comes to a stop, whereupon it moves in reverse or backward direction until it reassumes its starting position.

The principal objects of the present invention are the provision of an article ejector structure for vending machines of the typeindicated, including a reciprocating carriage movable transversely in respect to the upwardly moving columns of merchandise, and in which carriage are mounted individual ejector elements corresponding in number to that of the merchandisecolumns, and wherein such ejector; elements are-normally kept in their inoperative position so that-they clear the merchandise heldin said columns, and wherein means are provided for releasing anyone of the ejector elements tolts operative, article engaging position, for ejecting an article during the initial movement of the carriage, and wherein motor driven means are. provided for. actuating said carriage to move first in one and then in reverse direction, and wherein other means. are provided for. resetting a released ejector elementduring the first, initial or forward movement of the carriage, and wherein a number of manually-and automatically operable switch devices",areemployed for controlling the operation of said carriage actuating means, at. least one of the automatic switch devices being adapted to become operated through the movement. of the carriage while at least another automaticswitch device 'ilsgadapted to be closed and opened by the movement of the carriage actuating means. f

The foregoing and numerous other obj additional advantages of the present invention will become more fully understood fro th 8 Claims. (Cl. 312-68) Bots and I generally to vending ma suing description, in conjunction with the accom panying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fragmental plan view of a carriage in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is 'a fragmental rear elevation thereof with its individual ejector elements in inopera tive; elevated position;

Fig. 3 is a fragmental rear elevation of the carriagej with "an ejector element in its operative, article engaging position; x

Fig. 4is a'fragmental illustration, partly in section of an open vending machine casing, showing a fewvarticl'e magazines and a portion of the carriageiin-front elevation and the ejector elements of the carriage in inoperative position;

, Fig. 5 is'a fragmental side elevation of and a vertical section through'parts of the vending machine .frame andthrough parts of the carriage, and disclosing an ejector element in its inoperative position, and the starter switch in its initial or readiness position; I

Fig. 6 is a similar illustration to that of Fig. 5 with the ejector element in released, operative; article engaging position, and the starter switch in its motor-energizing position;

Fig. '7 is a sideelevation of the carriage,- partly insection, during its'initial or forward movement, and showing an ejector elementin engagement with an article, prior to ejecting the latter;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to that illustrated in Fig. 7 with th'e carriage shown in its extreme forward end position and with the ejector element reset to its inoperative position;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation, partly in section,

1 through the carriage, showing the latter in its initial or starting position with the ejector element prevented from being released to its operative position by a projection of the article support, which latter has progressed to its uppermost position in an emptiedjarticle magazine;

. Fig. ;10 isfa fragmentalside elevation of the motor circuitholding switch and of a portion of; the mechanism for actuating it; Figs-11 is atop view of the motor and'of the holding switch; and

- Fig. 12 is; an electric diagram with portions of the vending machine mechanism indicated ther in. g 1 I Referringtc Figs. 4 and 9, numeral l0 designates a vend ing machine casing in which is arranged a plurality of magazines H for the reception-40f columns of merchandise articles l2,

supported. by platforms l3, the latterbeing equippedflwith' instrumentalitles for moving the platforms and the merchandise supported by them in upward direction. Each platform has a rear extension it, see Fig. 9, provided with an upward projection i5 which is adapted to prevent the release of the individual ejector elements to their operative, article-engaging position when the magazines are'empty and platforms i3 assume their uppermost position.

The ejector carriage, as shown in Figs. 1 to 9, is generally indicated at I6, and comprises a substantially channel-shaped structure extending over the major top portion of the vending ma,- chine. The carriage is supported by rollers mounted in suitable guideways arranged in the framework of the vending machine, and extending from the ends of the carriage, and which ends constitute gear racks I8, engaged by pinions I9, as clearly seen in Figs. 7, 8, and 9. These pinions are keyed to shaft journaled in the frame work of the machine. One end of the shaft projects outwardly and upon this outer shaft extension is mounted another pinion or gear 2|, as seen in Fig. 12. Gear 2| is engaged by a gear segment 22, forming a part of the actuating mechanism 23 for carriage 16. This mechanism is driven by a motor 24, seen in Figs. 10 to 12, inelusive. Carriage I6 is adapted to move, during one operating cycle, from its starting position first in one, the forward direction, and then in reverse or backward direction until it reassumes its starting position. This movement is imparted to the carriage by a'swinging motion of gear segment. 22, first in anticlockwise or left hand and then inclockwise or right hand direction, which movement to the segment is caused by a crank 25 driven by motor 24, see Figs. 10 to 12. This crank has a cam 25 adapted to engage a lever 21 by means of which a motor circuit holding switch 28 is closed,.before'another switch. controlling the motor circuit, opens, as will be presentlyexplained.

The carriage The. structure of the carriage includes a channel, formation 29,- extending between the two spaced gear racks l8 forming its ends.

' The carriage operates in what may be termed a well formation provided at the upper part of the vending machine casing i0. Within the carriage channel there are arranged-in spaced relation to one another severalindividual ejector units or ejector elements, indicated generally at 3|], as. clearly seen in Figs. 1 to 4. These ejector elements are pivotally mounted at 3| between suitable lugs extending from channel 29, and comprise a forward article engaging portion 32 and an upwardly bent rear extension 33, the upper end 34 of which is reduced for engagement with an aperture 35 provided in a detent 36, which latter is pivotally mounted on a shaft 31. The article engaging portion '32 of the ejector element has an upwardly swung "extension 38 supporting a pair of rollers 35. All of the ejector elements are urged by coil springs toward their operative position, seen in Figs. 6 and 7, but are normally held in their inoperative position shown in Fig. '5. In thatposition the ejector elements are kept by means ofupper reduced end 34 of their rearward extension 33, which end is engaged by aperture'35 of detent36. A coil spring 4| urges the detents in downward direction and into engagement "with extension 33.

Also arran ged'i n chanel formation 29 is an elongated bar 42 pivotally mounted on a shaft 43.; Bar 42 extends the entire length of the carriage. A coil spring 44, shown in. Fig. 1, urges 4 bar 42 into engagement with a stop 45. Extending from one portion of bar 42 is a bracket 46 in which is mounted a dielectric roller 41, the purpose of which will be explained presently.

In the frame of the machine, above carriage 16 when the latter is in its starting position, there is provided a box-like casing 48, in which is housed a row of solenoids 49, one above each detent 36. When one of these electromagnets becomes energized it attracts its corresponding detent, thus causing it to disengage the reduced portion 34 of rear extension 33 of the corresponding ejector element, whereby the element is released and assumes its operative, article engaging position.

The number of'ejector elements 30 and the number of electromagnets 49 corresponds to the number of article magazines Below the solenoid casing 48, and also below the carriage in its starting position, there is mounted a starter switch 55, see Figs 5 and 6, composed of amovable con-tact blade 5| and two relatively fixed but resilient contact blades 52 and. 53., Movable blade 5| is pivoted at 54 and is provided with a coil spring 55 which urges the blade towards fixed contact blade 53. The upper end of blade 5| is normally engaged by dielectric roller 41 mounted in brackets 46 of bar 42.. Roller 41in engaging movable contact blade 5|, as shown in Fig. 5, holds that blade against fixed blade 52. When any one of the ejector elements is released by its detent, the rearward extension 33 of the element will swing bar 42 against .the tension of its spring 44 to the position'shown in Fig. 6, at which moment roller 41 disengages movable blade 5| andpermits its spring 55 to swing it forwardly, thereby causing blade 5| to engage fixed contact blade-'53.

Below carriage Hi there extends a plate 56 from the rear towards-the front of the machine and in this plate are provided longitudinal slots or spare-outs 5| as clearly seen from Figs. 4 to 9. These spare-outs serve for accommodating the article engaging portions 32 of ejector elements 36 when they are brought to their operative position; as shown in Figs. 6 and '7, and at which position of the ejector elements their rollers 39 come to rest against the edges of spare-outs 51', whereby the ejector elements are held in theircorrect, operative, article-engaging position.

Referring now to Figs. 7, 8 and 9, it will be observed that plate 55 is bent upwardly towards the front of the machine, as shown at 58, and at the upper end of the incline there is formed an elevated portion 59 constituting a narrow ridge or platform. When one of the elements 36 is released by detent 36, as shown in Fig. 6, its frontal article ejecting portion 32 drops into slot 51 and its rollers come to rest upon the edge of the slot. As new the carriage moves forward during the first movement of its Working cycle, in the manner shown in Fig. 7, theyupwardly bent part 38 of the element engages article it in magazine I| As the movement of the'carriage progresses, the article is discharged and the element becomes elevated as rollers .39 roll upon incline 58 until they come to rest on platform 59, in the manner shown in Fig. 8, at which moment the ejector element assumes its inoperative position at which it is held 'by detent 36.

Referring now to Figs. 10 to 12, inclusive, motor 24 for driving mechanism 23, which latter actuates carriage I5, is provided with a gear transmission, denoted inFig, ll at 60,, including. a worm-gear arrangement 6i which drives a shaft 62 upon which is: mounted crank. 25 terminating in; a

wedge-shaped cam 26. stated previously, cam

26 is designed toengage switch operating 'lever 21. This lever is adapted, wheniactuated by cam 26, to close switch 28, This switch is a holding switchand consists of. two pairs of blades 63 and 64 and 65 and 66. The first pair of blades 63 and 64 are connected to; taps made in the winding of motor .24-through a resistance 61, whichlatter is shunted into the motor. Winding to slow down the speed of the motor when the carriage, is returning" to itsstarting position. Blades 65 and 66, when in: engagement with one another, close the main motor circuit which is also controlled by starterswitch 56, as will be presently evident. Referring to Fig. 12, from-crank 25 extends a connecting rod 68 in engagement with arm 69 for operating gear segment 22-, .which in turn engagesgear 2| for actuating shaft 26 and thereby impart a reciprocating. motion, by means of pinions l9 and gear racks l8, to the carriage structure. In Fig. ;l2 there is also disclosed a wiring diagram and. the general organization of the different electrical devices employed.

.Ih thewiring diagram are included three terminal blocks A, B and C; Each of the blocks is providedwith aligned pairs of numbered terminals. Referring to block 0, there are provided nine pairs of terminals, of whichterminals 4 and 5, terminals 6 and 1 and terminals 8 and 9 are interconnected with one another. From terminal 9 extends a lead 10 to terminal I of terminal block B. Fromthis leadbranches off alead H to a contact spring 12 of a coin counter, generally indicated at 13. This coin counter has three other contact springs 14-, 15 and 16. which are connected, respectively. with terminals 2, 3 and 4 of terminal block B. ,The coin counter includes a contact plate 1"! which, when brought beneath all four contacts, as shown, electrically connects all four contact, springs. From terminals 2, 3 and 4 of terminal block B extendleads to three coin-de nominating bars 18, 79 and B0, selectable by means of hand'levers 9|. These hand levers are connected with manually operable, normally open switches 82 and 83. The number of hand'levers 8| andthe number of. manual switches corresponds to the number of solenoids 43. Each of these manually operated switches serves for momentarily closing one individual circuit for energizing one of .thesolenoids. From switches 82and 83 extend leads to terminals and 2 of terminalblock A, and from there other leads 84 and 85 pass to one terminal of electromagnets numbered l and 2, respectively. The other ter minals of the electromagnets are connected by from that blade at lead"9| is connected withterminal 92 of motor 24. Switch blade 66, opposite blade 65, is connected by lead 93 to terminal 6 of block C. Switch blade 63 is connected bylead 94 to resistance 61 and'from the resistance a lead. 95 extends .to winding tap 96 of the motor. Blade 64, opposite blade 63 of the switch, is connected by lead 9'! with tap 98 of the motor, and terminal 99 of the motor is connected by lead I00 to terminal 8 of block (I. I

Operation '.-When"carriage I6 is in its starting position (Fig. 5), all ejector elements 30 are in their inoperative position, being held in that position by their detents 36. At'this starting position of thecarriage movable contact 5| of starter switch engages fixed contact 52, being held in that position by roller 41 1 of bar 42. At this position of the starter switch the electric connections of the device are in readiness for the starting operation, induced by the momentary closing of one of the manually operated switches. When, for instance, switch 82 is thus closed, its corresponding solenoid becomes energized and attracts detents 36, whereby ejector element 30 is released to its operative position. The released ejector element swings bar 42 forwardly, whereby dielectric roller 41 disengages movable contact blade 5| of starter switch 50. By that disengagement of contact blade 5|, the latter is caused by its spring to engage stationary contact 53, thus closing the circuit supplying energy to motor 24. As the motor is energized it turns shaft 62, whereby lever 68 is caused to operate-arm 69, which latter in turn moves gear segment 22 in anticlockwise direction. Gear segment 22 being in engagement with pinion 2|, motion is imparted by means of shaft 20 to pinions I9, which in turn move carriage l6 in forward direction by means of gear racks l8,

During this forward movement of the carriage, element 30, being now in its downward, operative, article-engagingposition, will engage an articlein the manner shown in Fig. 7, and will eject the article as indicated in Fig. 8, atwhich moment thecarriage reaches its extreme forward end position. During the forward movement of the carriage ejector element 39 is caused to re-assume its inoperative position as shown in Fig. 8, at which hand direction towards its original position.

During that movement the carriage is broughtback to its starting position. While on its way to that position roller 41 of bar 42 re-engages contact blade 5| of the starter switch, and the circuit controlled by that contact blade and stationary blade 53 is opened. Before such opening of the motor circuit takes place, wedge-shaped cam 26 engages actuating lever 21 of holding switch 28. This lever is normally held in its outward position, shown in Fig. 10, by switch blades 64 and 66. The outward movement of the lever is limited by anabutment 21 shown in'that figure. As lever 2! is now forcibly pressed against the tension of, contact blades 64 and 66 by the action-got cam26, the two pairs of contact blades close the motor circuit and shunt into that circuit resistance 61. Thus before movable contact blade 5! of starter switch 50 leaves stationary.

contact blade 553', the holding switch is closedand providesv energy for the operation of the motor sov that the carriage actuating mechanism can complete its function of moving the carriage to;

to open, thus cutting on electric current to-the motor. 7

The carriage having reached its starting posi-, tion, mobile switch blade 5| of thestarter switch,

is again pressed into engagement with stationary contact 52 and renders the device ready for the next operating cycle caused by a temporary closing of; any one of the manually operated switches controlling solenoids 49.

As stated previously, the articles in each magazine are propelled upwardly by platform [3 which is designed to automatically progress in upward direction, while supporting merchandise, until all the merchandise is exhausted. At that moment platform 13 comes in abutment with plate 56, as clearly seen in Fig. 9. In that position of platform 1 3 projection l5, extending above rear extension it of the platform, assumes a position beneath forward portion 32 of the ejector element and prevents the latter from dropping to its operative position, even though released by detent 36, when its corresponding solenoid becomes energized by a temporary closing of one of the solenoid switches, such as switches 82 and 83. Thus the carriage is prevented from being operated in case a solenoid controlling an ejector element of an empty magazine column becomes energized.

While in the drawings specific structures of the mechanism and a specific organization of such mechanisms is illustrated, it is quite obvious that changes and improvements may be incorporated in the device, without departing from the broad scope thereof, as defined in the annexed claims.

I claim:

'1. In an article ejector structure for vending machines employing means for feeding upwardly articles of merchandise arranged in columns, a reciprocating carriage movable above and transversely in respect to the direction of movement of the merchandise columns, a plurality of individual ejector elements, one for each column, releasably mounted in said carriage but normally held in inoperative position above and clearing the merchandise, means for releasing one of the ejector elements to its operative position for engagement with an article of merchandise in one of the columns, means for actuating said carriage to move first in one and then in the reverse direction, and means for resetting the released ejector elemerit, the first movement of the carriage causing the released element to eject the engaged article and to reset the element to its inoperative position, the reverse movement of the carriage placing the latter and its ejector elements to a starting position ready for the next operation. I

2-. In an "article ejector structure for Vending machines having article magazines equipped with means for supporting articles of merchandise in columns and for propelling the articles in upward direction, a rec'iprocatingly operative carriage for ejecting articles from the magazines, an electric motor, a plurality of switches controlling the operation of the motor, an actuating mechanism driven by the motor for moving said carriage first in one and next in the reverse direction, a plurality of individual article ejector elements pivotally mounted in said carriage and being normallyretained in their inoperative position above the articles in the magazines, electric control means for releasing singly any one of the elements from their normal, inoperative posit on to their operative, article engaging position and for simultaneously closing one of said motor-controlling switches to energize said motor for driving said actuating mechanism, which latter is adapted to impart to said carriage the aforesaid two-directional movement; means for resetting, a released ejector-element to its normal, inoperative position during the first movement of the carriage, and

8 means for opening said one motor-controlling switch at the termination of the reverse movement of said carriage.

3. In an ejector structure for vending machines employing upwardly moving columns of merchandise articles, a reciprocating carriage movable above and transversely tothe movement of said columns first in one and next in reverse direction, an actuating mechanism for imparting motion to said carriage, a motor for driving said mechanism; a plurality of individual ejector elements, one for each article column, releasably mounted in said carriage and normally held in inoperative position above and clearing the merchandise, but being adapted, when individually released, to drop to their operative position for engaging and ejecting an article when the carriage is actuated and completes its first movement in that one direction, means in the path of a released element for resetting it to its inoperative position during such first movement of the carriage after the ejection of an article; electromechanical means for releasing the elements to their operative position, a double switch controlling the operation of said motor and of said electromechanical ejector element releasing means, said carriage actuating mechanism having means for operating said double switch.

4. In an article ejector structure of the type indicated, a reciprocating carriage adapted, in completion of one working cycle, to move first in one direction, to eject an article, and next in reverse direction to its starting position, an actuating mechanism for the carriage, an electric motor for driving the mechanism; said carriage having a plurality of individually operable article ejector elements, each element comprising an, article engaging portion and an extension, each element having spring means urging the element toward its operative, article engaging position; a plurality of detents for said element extensionsv and being adapted to normally engage the latter for retaining the elements in inoperative position; a plurality of electromagnets, one for each ejector element, and being adapted to attract said detents and thereby to cause the latter to disengage said element extensions, thus releasing the elements to assume their operative position; a double action starter switch controlling, in one position, circuits of the electromagnets, and in its other position the motor circuit; a holding switch for the motor circuit; said starter switch comprising two fixed contact blades and a spring actuated movable blade mounted between the fixed blades, the spring of the movable blade urging the latter toward one of the fixed blades; a control member for the movable switch blade adapted to normally engage the movable blade and to press the latter into. contact with the other fixed blade, whereby all of the circuits of the electromagnets are held in readiness so that any one of the circuits maybe closed for energizing its corresponding electromagnet; said element extension being adapted, when released by its detent, upon becoming attracted by the corresponding electromagnet, to swing said switch control member clear of the movable blade, thus permitting the latter to engage the said one fixed blade and thereby close the motor circuit to cause the operation of the motor and of the actuating mechanism for reciprocating the carriage; said mechanism having means for temporarily closing said motor circuit holding switch before the circuit first supplying current to the motor through the starter switch is opened, when the carriage,

moving in reverse direction, approaches its starting position and causes the starter switch control member to swing the movable blade away from said one fixed blade.

5. In an article ejector for vending machines of the type wherein articles of merchandise to be dispensed are stacked in upwardly moving columns, an ejector carriage reciprocatingly operative above the merchandise and being adapted to move from its starting position first in one direction and next in reverse direction and back to its starting position; means for actuating the ejector carriage in the aforesaid manner; a motor for driving said actuating means; said ejector carriagehaving a plurality of individually operable ejector elements corresponding in number to that of the merchandise columns, each ejector element having an article engaging portion and an extension; a detent for each element extension adapted to normally engage the latter for keeping the article engaging portion of the ejector element in elevated, inoperative position, a solenoid for each detent adapted, when energized, to attract the detent for disengagement from the element extension, thereby causing the article engaging portion to assume its operative position; a guideway for each article engaging portion of the element adapted to cause that portion to reassume its inoperative position when the carriage completes its first movement and before traveling in reverse direction.

6. In an article ejector as per claim 5, means for supporting and moving upwardly the merchandise in columns, an abutment extending upwardly from said means and being adapted to assume a position in the path of the article engaging portion of the ejector element when merchandise in the column served by that ejector element becomes exhausted, thereby retaining the 10 element in its inoperative position, and preventing the release of the element by the detent when the latters solenoid becomes energized.

7. In an article ejector for vending machines of the type indicated, a reciprocating carriage having a plurality of individually operative ejector elements, each element consisting of an article engaging portion and an extension; a detent for each element extension for holding the elements in inoperative position, a double action.

starter switch having a movable blade operatively mounted between two fixed blades and adapted to bear towards one of the fixed blades; a switch blade holding member operatively mounted in and extending lengthwise said carriage and being adapted to normally press the movable blade against the other fixed blade; a stop for said holding member for limiting its movement; the extensions of all ejector elements being adapted, when released by their detents, to force said holding member to release said movable blade, thus permitting the latter to make contact with said one fixed blade.

8. In an article ejector as per claim 7, said ejector elements of the carriage being pivotally mounted and having spring means urging their article engaging portions to assume a downward, operative position; said detents retaining the elements by their extensions in an upward, inoperative position, against the tension of said spring means; said switch blade holding member having a bracket supporting a dielectric element adapted for engaging the movable switch blade, said holding member being pivotally mounted in said carriage, and a spring urging the holding member against said stop.

MARIO CARUSO.

No references cited. 

